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The Hills Health Ranch Featured in Top Magazines

One of Canada’s Best

108 MILE RANCH, B.C.

Why we Love it.
A variety of weight-loss and fitness programs - from six to 30 nights and longer - makes success a no-brainer. A staff roster complete with doctors, nutritionists, a kinesiologist, certified behavioural counsellors and personal trainers allows for a total program customization.
Because weight loss shouldn't have to be an ordeal, guests have access to a full-service spa, horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing and nature tours with a microbiologist on this 20,000-acre ranch
Try one of the signature rosehip treatments for the face or body. The spa's line of products is made from wild, vitamin C-rich rosehips that are hand-picked on the property.
Cost: A six-night comprehensive weight-loss program starts at $1,984.
Call 1-800-668-2233 or visit spabc.com. Back to top
 

Head For The Hills!

It takes on a whole-new meaning when the destination is Canada's premier health ranch. With a welcoming committee consisting of a five-pound bundle of vibrating, feisty, feline exuberance, chances are good you are about to embark on an experience slightly out of the ordinary. This is The Hills Health Ranch at 108 Mile House, in British Columbia's sensational Cariboo.

THERE'S GOLD IN THEM THERE HILLS.

Totally smitten with the Cariboo landscape, Pat and Juanita Corbett began purchasing bare land in 1982, their vision, to create Canada's first health resort in a guest ranch setting. When opening day arrived in June 1985, it was with 19 chalets and dream. Now, over two decades later, the dream has reached maturity and the vision remains as clear today as it was in the beginning.
A favorable, four season climate enables The Hills to be a going concern twelve months of the year. "From a cash flow point of view, if you are not going four seasons, you are broke from the start," says Pat Corbett. "It is just us, there is no big corporation. So we sink or swim."
The Corbetts relish being hands on. Pat is a land developer and looks after the ranch/resort side of things and can be seen leading the early morning hike. Meanwhile Juanita, a licensed cosmetologist, runs the spa and is routinely found elbow deep in massage oil or facial mud.
Spring, summer and fall support all the ranching activities, and to compliment there is hiking, canoeing and mountain biking. For those who prefer to chase a little white ball, an 18-hole championship golf course awaits right across the highway. Winter arrives with a blanket of snow that cross country skiers find hard to resist. The addition of a downhill ski area and a terrain park, for snow boarders, ensures The Hills has something for all snow enthusiasts.

The spa side of the operation goes full tilt all year, because no matter what outdoor activity you favor, there is a spa treatment with your name on it. The signature Rose hip Swedish full body massage is highly recommended, leaving you with an unprecedented feeling of well being and legs of Jell-O

WIDE OPEN SPACES

From its modest beginnings The Hills now encompasses over 20,000 acres. "Both my wife and I love the experience the land gives you," states Corbett. "Just walking it, riding it, skiing it, enjoying what land can do for you. With all the Crown land, everything you see out there, that's the way it's going to stay. People will be able to enjoy it for decades to come."
There is 260 acres, around the lodges, that is fenced and an additional 168 acres that is partially fenced, this is used in the grazing rotation for The Hills horses. Beyond those fences it is wide open; nothing stands in your way, except maybe several thousand cows. The bovines are supplied courtesy of a well-known local ranching family, the Monicals, who have been running cattle on the land since the 1960's

GIDDY UP AND GO

The Hills maintains a string of well-looked after, sturdy dude horses that enable cowboy want-to-bes to channel Roy Rogers. But, there is a 24-karat gold nugget waiting here for those fortunate enough to have their own horse - you can bring Trigger along. Several years ago The Hills set aside 75 acres, sitting right below the main lodge, and in a joint effort with the Back country Horseman's Association, built a horse campground.
Set in amongst dry land Douglas fir and silver birch trees are about two dozen dry campsites, over half have either single or double, sandy, soil based corrals. Whiskey Jacks are in abundance and keep a keen eye on everything you do, getting quite vocal when ignored. You have a choice of camping or staying at the resort, either way you can take advantage of all the amenities The Hills has to offer.
Pick up a trail map in the lobby, pack a lunch and head out to explore the more than 150 kilometers of marked trails. "You may get a little twisted around for a bit," laughed Corbett. "But you will never get lost; we have 4,000 signs out there." The 100 Mile and 108 Nordic ski trail network is a well maintained, multi-use maze, featuring gently rolling Cariboo grasslands, woodlands and lakes.
The scope of the trails will keep you busy for days. One can easily spend hours traversing back and forth along the numerous interconnected trails right around the lodge area. Or head for the highway underpass and ride the scenic trail around the 108 Mile Lake, a trail side picnic area provides the perfect rest stop for lunch.
Want to experience the wide open spaces.' Then set your course for a loop around Soda Lake, a Ducks Unlimited conservation area, Succour Lake, the site of future resort development plans and skirt alongside Tatton Lake. Guaranteed you will sleep well upon your return.
"For people with horses it is a great place to come, because it is such open riding and you can come hack and have a massage. That was the idea," grinned Corbett.

CREATURE COMFORTS

Once Trigger has been groomed, blanketed and fed it is time to indulge his two-egged companion. The Hills offers well appointed, self-contained three bedroom chalets, that comfortably sleep six, as well as hotel style rooms in two log lodges. And rest assured, your stay will be filled with pleasant dreams.
The beds are all goose down pillow top mattresses, topped off with goose down duvets. Every guest has a thick, plush white terry cloth robe to enjoy and the bathroom accouterments are top-of-the-line products The Hills imports and distributes as part of their spa line. So when you slip an extra bottle of shampoo into your suitcase you have garnered something special.
"It's all part of the package, a bit of luxury, giving you the experience of roughing it during the day and camping under four stars at night," admits Corbett.
100 Mile House is eight miles down the road and is stocked with supermarkets and restaurants. Though there really is no need to venture off the resort as the dining offered is not standard chuck-wagon fare. The large Trails End Dining Room offers wonderful breakfasts, have no idea how stuffed French toast can be low fat, low cal, healthy and taste so good. Lunch and dinner are also available featuring organic, gourmet spa cuisine.
After riding all day you may have developed an appetite for something, shall we say, a little more substantial. Tucked away in the back corner of the 1871 Lodge is the intimate Agnus McVee Dining Room. The log walls, fireplace and soft lighting help create enough ambience to overflow a size 13 cowboy boot. But, when you gaze at the menu and the first item is Seafood Mushroom Caps stuffed with cream cheese and topped with mozzarella, any idea you harbored of dieting can be heaved out the second floor picture window.
At a resort that's prime directive is health, the Agnus McVee Dining Room shows someone has a good sense of humor. Agnus McVee was a colorful local figure, who in the mid 1870's had the distinction of being the areas first woman hotel proprietor. The beautiful, young, blue eyed Scottish lass ran the 108 Mile Hotel, situated on the Cariboo Wagon Road, now known as the Gold Rush Trail. There was one slight problem - her guests never left.
The story goes that the wily McVee killed her patrons as they headed south from the gold mines, stole their gold and disposed of the bodies by cutting them into pieces and burning the parts in the hotel fireplace. "Is it true? I have reason to think it is more legend. But, it's a great story," said Corbett with a hearty laugh.

GOOD FOR THE SOUL

"I use an expression - our best treatment room is the 20,000 acres outside. That's where the real healing and restoration happens. If you can get to enjoy that, many good things are going to happen, physically and mentally," said Corbett. The health professionals on staff, from nutritionists, kinesiologists, a medical doctor and registered nurses to an orthopedic surgeon show the level of commitment the Corbetts have aspired to.
With such a diversity of programs to choose from at The Hills, including the award winning pampering of the spa, a menagerie of fitness classes and all-encompassing, individually tailored wellness lifestyle regiments, a buckaroo would be hard pressed to sit around and do nothing. Yet, if that is your desire, grab a good hook and settle into one of the many comfortable high back wing chairs and let your imagination reign.
At this stop, along the Gold Rush Trail, listen to the breeze as it echoes with the ghosts of those who searched for a life of riches, it now beckons to those in the pursuit of the richness of life. Then abide in the musical advice of Roy Rogers, "Happy Trails to You." Writers Credit - Janice Reiter
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By Ammy Rosen - Reino and Seija Harinen are a Finnish couple who have been living together in Canada for three decades. Until recently, the couple made regular trips back to Finland to receive special medical help at a spa for Reino's arthritic back and knees. Now they don't have to. The Hills Health Ranch at 108 Mile Ranch in British Columbia has drawn up an agreement with Finland so it can welcome Finnish war veterans for some state-funded relaxation and rehabilitation.

The Finnish government still pays for the country's Second World War vets (most of whom are now over 80) to travel back to Finland for treatment at a health facility for 10 days a year, or for as long as 28 days if a doctor deems it necessary. "The government pays for everything, door-to-door," says Seija Harinen. But now that Reino is 8l, "it's getting tough to travel," she says of her war veteran husband. "The time difference is tough too." Knowing there was "this great health ranch" about an hour from her house, Seija took it upon herself to contact the Finnish government to tell them about it.

Finland's Sickness Insurance Act ensures that medical care is available to all, with a focus on preventive treatment at small local facilities as opposed to large centres. Which is why rehabilitation for some Finns can mean lengthy sojourns at spas. Local Finnish governments and the Social Insurance Institution work together to arrange and finance a range of services for war veterans. The benefits vary from one local authority to the next, but can include everything from subsidized dental care to pedicures and relaxation groups.

Retreating to a spa in the lolling B.C. countryside may seem like a luxurious way to rehabilitate, but Europeans have always been wise to the ways of living well. In Switzerland, for example, many spas have clinical departments that are recognized as private hospitals by the various cantonal departments of health, and are thus considered rehabilitation clinics, With private nurses and five-star dining, many of them also have a high quotient of snob appeal.

The Hills Health Ranch, which launched in 1985 as one of Canada's first destination spa and fitness resorts, has a more down-home than upper-crust approach (anyone for horse-drawn hay ride sing along parties?), but it has always been at the forefront of this country's burgeoning wellness resort market, with dozens of health specialist staffers ranging from registered dieticians and kinesiologists to herbologists, as well as anew addition this spring a microbiologist. They've won legions of fans through their weight-loss programs and smoking cessation retreats, which is why the Finnish government has approved the ranch as a health destination.

The first step to approval was a site inspection conducted by Finns who had been to similar retreats and resorts in Finland. Then the Finnish government reviewed all of the Hills treatments, retreats and health professionals, and a Finnish government-approved customized program was put together for the war vets (of whom there is a surprising number living in North America). A contract was then drawn up, including payment methods. (Finland sends regular cheques to the ranch and facilities in Toronto and Sudbury, Ont., which focus on day rehab. In 2005, 1.8 million was spent overseas in benefits for Finnish veterans, disabled soldiers and their spouses.) Since the plan launched, the B.C. spa's 14-day custom retreats have become increasingly commonplace. Just last month The Hills Health Ranch billed the Finnish government for 10 veterans.

"The men who were injured in the war need special therapies," Swiss-born Regula Wittmer, the Hills Health Ranch wellness director, explains. "A lot of them had gun wounds so they can't walk well, or injuries to the stomach so they need special diets." The war vets' wives are also entitled to accompany their husbands to treatment for one week a year. "They also get a lot of pampering they've never enjoyed before," says Wittmer.

A seven-night stay costs the Finnish government approximately $l,600 a 14-night stay about $3,100. Under the specialized package, this entitles the Finns to everything from a medical exam, apricot honey hot muesli and physiotherapy, to a glacial-pack herbal wrap, foot reflexology, yoga, saunas, herbal teas, and Texas line-dancing parties, among other treatments and perks. "The hot stone massage is my favourite," says Seija Harinen, "but [my husband] loves the paraffin wraps on his knees and therapeutic massage. We're both very happy to go there." And honestly, who doesn't enjoy an old-fashioned sing along hayride now and again?
M
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For our 7th year in a row, the North Okanagan Fillies headed out for their annual horsey weekend getaway in June. As our group has increased in its numbers, in the last few years we have had to split into two groups. This is the first year that we went to separate places.

Our group consisted of 25 horsey gals, ranging in age from mid 20s to 60s. and this year we wanted to be pampered We booked 4 chalets and 20 horse pens at The Hills Health Ranch at 108 Mile House. Five of us (including me) chose to rent a horse rather than hauling, feeding, grooming, etc. (the best way to go! Although I did miss my horse, she would have loved this).

With over 150 kms of mapped (cross-country skiing) trails, health spa services and fully catered meals we were spoiled. The riding terrain was fabulous, the weather perfect (a little hot), the meals unbelievable, and the service and accommodations first class The pens for the horses were built compliments of the Back Country Horsemen of BC. Even though we had 20 individual pens, more were available and rented in advance by other campers Set amongst the trees, there was ample sun or rain protection, and a water hose nearby.

We chose to stay in the A-frame chalets versus the lodge. They were very comfortable and roomy with all amenities (including all the bathroom soaps, shampoos, shower gel. etc - such a nice touch!). I used to work in the hotel business, and it was nice to return to a first class place!

All meals, served in their dining room, were carefully planned and presented beautifully and delicious All raved about the food! We had prearranged for catering of all our meals - and we were definitely looked after, very well, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Staff were very accommodating and friendly. Maurice, the barn/horse manager stands out the most though (naturally, since our weekend was horse-related) He had to have gone above and beyond his horse' duties. When the gals starting hauling in sporadically on Friday. Maurice was going in every direction, greeting them, showing them the pens, watering some of the horses, driving the gals' luggage to the chalets fit was a hike from horse pens to chalets) Maurice and his trail bosses took very good care of us. The rental horses were not plugs, they were in good shape and did their job well.

Since all the trails are mapped, over the weekend most gals headed out in their own small groups to take advantage of the scenery and to move at their preferred pace. Saturday's ride to the lake, where we all met up for a BBQ lunch, was awesome.

A great experience and well worth it! Visit www.thehillshealthranch.com

Life should NOT be a Journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, BUT rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, tequila in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming - WOO HOO what a ridel

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by Ryan Stuart for Westworld BC - The Hills Health Ranch has all the workout options: yoga; Pilates; step aerobics; ball fit; aqua fit; treadmill, stepper, recumbent and mountain bike programs; walking, hiking, and canoeing - along with five onsite nurses and a medical doctor, kinesiologist, nutritionist, behavioral counselor, even a microbiologist. Weight loss and lifestyle retreats begin and end with fitness and goal assessments, from which meal plans and exercise routines are established. Gourmet meals, vitamin and mineral supplements, healing herbs harvested locally and pressed on site and daily, guided hikes across 8,000 hectares of ranch land are equally integral to the ranch’s customized programs.

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by Anne Dimon for Metro Toronto - If you really need to get serious about losing weight and want professional help and a change of scenery to help you shed those extra pounds, Hills Health Ranch has weight loss programs available in six-, 10-, and 30-night packages.

This is a quiet, unpretentious setting in British Columbia, so don’t go if you need a high-paced urban environment.

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